Colin's Special Blog (a few months ago)

I was in the car today and heard a song that reminded me of our friend Colin and his Mommy. Colin's mommy made a super sweet video back in October (DS Awareness Month). I never posted it back then so will share it now.

I love little innocent reminders that can come out of nowhere:)

I hope it will brighten your day, as it has mine

"The Good Life"

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Changes

As time continues to move on, I am realizing that with that theory, decisions about Liam's future are starting to become a reality. I haven't written much about Down Syndrome lately and I can't say I am bothered by that. For the most part we go about our day to day lives and the craziness that is just a part of our every day the way most other parents would describe their own.

Therapy is part of our lives-each of our lives. Our therapists, each one of them, are a part of our family. They show up each week, some bearing tools to try with Liam, others bearing coffee for me;) but each week they are here...they are present. I have learned to lean on these women-some having been with us since Liam was 4 weeks old prior to his OHS, around throughout his recovery, and during the most difficult transition of weaning him off a feeding a tube and learning how to drink/eat real food. I love these women for being pseudo moms/grandmoms to my kids, huge supports to us, and treating our family with nothing but the upmost respect.

They are beauties I tell ya.

I want to keep them.

Unfortunately this is where the "decisions about Liam's future" comes in. Liam is done with early intervention when he turns 3--in June. How do I send my little guy (no seriously, really little...he's the size of a one year old) to school? Shouldn't he just be home with me? I can protect him from the harsh world that might not take kindly to Liam or his disability. It's so scary. I don't know if we should chose an IU classroom or a "typical" preschool or a combination of the two. We met today, his whole team, to address new goals and IU testing, possible scenarios/settings that could work- in less than 5 months.

Part of me is excited that Liam will get to be in school a couple days a week...he loves his class that he is in on Thursdays, he barely even notices when I leave;). I hear nothing but positive feedback from his teacher. He cooperates, he sits down and participates, he follows simple 1 and 2-step directions. Liam communicates with signs and few words. He has many sounds he uses for words, but they are still just approximations. He is a full-time walker, really gaining confidence and speed! He has a little personality, giggles at Grover and is the friendliest little guy. Last week at school we passed Maeve's-(a little girl in his class who Liam really took too)-mom in the hallway and said "Hi," and Liam waved excitedly. I thought Maeve would be back in his class but she moved on to a preschool room since she is already 3. When we talked about Maeve that night at dinner and how she was in a new class, Liam got super bashful and covered his face-the way he does when we tell him how handsome he is...So it's official. Liam has his first crush, and let me tell you, she's adorable. A little reminder that above all, Liam is 2 1/2 years old. Maybe we just need to be reminded of that more often...

I believe Keith and I will make the right decision. We are leaning towards 2 mornings of " typical" preschool and 2 in an IU classroom and where he can continue with his therapies. Soon this blog will be detailing our little man's new chapter, and our hope is that like every new chapter, every new challenge Liam will continue to do what he's always done... Make us overwhelmed with pride.

Tired pups

A morning of fun and exploring at the Please Touch Museum including an appearance from

Chica from the Sprout Good Morning show=

7 Tired kids ready for naps!

Holiday Happenings

The holidays in our house gave us opportunities to celebrate with good friends...

Playdates for kiddo's and mimosa's for the mommies;)

Baby Sean and his simply smitten Mama...

Our efforts to get a good group shot

Emma, Grace holding Sean, Connor, Michael, Liam and Molly

2011 Picture with Santa

Immediately after Santa pic, playing at Giggleberry Farms "Discovery Zone"

(PS-he walks. everywhere. all the time. It's been awesome.)

The faster, crazier, and out-of-control she can try...the better. Yikes.

Gone fishin'

Practicing being a teacher. She totally walks with hands folded behind her back. You should of seen her with the erasers. She was clapping them just like how I remember the Nuns teaching us in grade school. I started to comment on that and what a great "eraser clapper" she will be in a few years at her school and Keith reminded me that schools use smart boards now-or at least white boards. I am always about 5 years too late. Hence trying to burn a Christmas CD before our open house and asking Keith where our CD player is to play it. Note to self: try to hunt a "new" one down-not ready to part with my mix CD's...



Liam is super into animals and the sounds they make these days. I have found him lying down on his belly, all stretched out playing with his farm, hiding his animals, putting them in his trucks, etc... He makes up his own little games to play. The other day I came downstairs to find him in this basket, all the animals in there with him and his barn set up right next to him.
And then his sister got in the way...
And into the basket she went.

Christmas Morning!

Already we were ahead of the game since we had two babies who were both healthy this year and no one threw up to start our day like last year;)

Trains, farms, and puzzles, Oh my!

Oh the pom-poms...just look at the joy on her face!
And again, dozens of presents to play with and the $1 slinky I picked up as a last minute stocking stuffer at Michaels got the most attention.

...Until they spotted the Kitchen that we put together upstairs for by the tree...that was a good surprise:)
Babies were slightly spoiled in a really good not over the top, crazy way, and Keith and I enjoyed so much just watching them take it all in. What a wonderful Holiday with family and friends. Will be posting more Christmas Eve pics from Mom-Mom's and Christmas Day from Mamo and Pop-Pop's.

Wishing our readers a Blessed New Year...2012 looks to be a good one!

2011 Christmas Cheer

Merry Merry!

The list keeps growing...

Loads to be thankful for this year...but a couple things stand out above the rest. We were down at CHOP last week for Liam's sedated echo. We got some great news that his heart looks good-in fact better than the last images they took in July. Most likely this is because his medication was increased at that last appointment, which means his heart responds well to other interventions before they even need to think about operating again. We bought ourselves 6 more months until our next visit and oh how sweet those 6 months will be;)

And not to be out-done...Emma is learning to sign! She walks around most days signing "more" and "dog" and "up" etc... It's been fun to watch her watch Liam and learn from him. What a special relationship that is budding between those two.

Like every year we are thankful for our families, our friends, and for each other. We are very blessed and I am reminded so every single morning I wake up in our cozy home.

And lastly?

Our little man is walking...I mean like really walking. The clip below shows just a few steps, but this boy is clearing rooms, easily. I know it may not seem like a big deal to some, but we have waited 2 1/2 years for this time. He has worked so hard to get here and we are just beaming with pride. Best part? He got to show-off for all his grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins over Thanksgiving...the cheering from them was his biggest reward;)

Can you tell me how to get...

How to get to Sesame Street...or for me, how to get it together so I'm not posting pictures three weeks later!!
Great day at "the street" (Robert California reference)
We didn't get to see Elmo, he must be in high demand, and while in line to see Cookie Monster he stepped down and the count took his place...Liam is not into the count and frankly, he gives me the creeps too! I think the characters in general were a little "much" for Liam, maybe next year he'll be more into them. He did wave to every one we saw, even bert and ernie, though he could have cared less to go see them;)

Below are a few pics from the day. The highlight for Liam by far was the ring toss game...he could've played for hours, and those of you who know Liam best know how much he loves a good ring toss!

Better Late than Never...

The Fisherman and his "catch of the day"!

Happy 1st Birthday Emma!

Make a video - it's fun, easy and free!
www.onetruemedia.com

Pumpkin Party

Can she really be turning 1 already?

Emma & her cousins...

Great day to celebrate our girl...the only disappointment was that Liam who is recovering from a virus was unable to be with us. He stayed with his Mamo and Pop-Pop who graciously offered to keep him, and who I know made sure that he had a good time.

Once he's feeling up to it, he's got some M&M's waiting for him with his name all over it!